Raul Fernandez
"Raul Fernandez, Ph.D., Professor of Social Sciences at the University of California at Irvine, teaches courses on the economies and culture of Latin America. Professor Fernandez serves as a consultant on Latino musicians for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Between 1993 and 1997 he conducted musicological interviews for the Smithsonian's Jazz Oral History Program with Cachao, Celia Cruz, Armando Peraza, Chocolate Armenteros, Mongo Santamaria, Francisco Aguabella and Chico O'Farrill. He has published articles on Cuban music and musicians for various journals and magazines in the United States and Colombia. "I listen to the entire range of Caribbean music and Latin jazz," Raul says. "I enjoy listening to old Afro-Cuban percussion, boleros, danzones, son montuno, and new sounds in Cuban music and Latin jazz. It all depends on my mood, the time of day, the day of the week, the city I'm in, and the year, among other things.""

Here are some reviews by Raul Fernandez

Alfredo Rodriguez, Cuba Linda
CD (Hannibal/Rykodisc 1399),Released 1997;
This is a truly innovative production which introduces, for the first time, a number of Afro-Cuban rhythmic genres into an orchestral arrangement. Palo rhythms, Tumba Francesa, and the sound of the 'galleta' and 'boku' drums are heard here in a Cuban jazz mode.
Category: Latin Jazz => Afro-Cuban Jazz=> Cuba
ORDER TL-15643.10 CD
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Bongo Logic, Bongo-Licious!
CD (Montuno 530),Released 1993;
"Bongo Logic is no longer one of the 'best-kept secrets' of Latin jazz. Everyone who does not know about them should by nowl This band led by percussionist Brett Golin, and including flautist Artie Webb and conguero Michito Sanchez presents a unique, refreshing sound of Latin jazz in a Charanga style." (Raúl Fernández, 98/99 Catalog)
Category: Salsa/Son => Salsa/Charanga
ORDER TL-12835.10 CD
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Chombo Silva, Los Hits De Manzanero En El Saxofon De Chombo Silva
CD (Disco Hit 1542),
**Classics Revisited** "Chombo" Silva's only solo recording, first released as an LP by GEMA in the 1960s, in which he interprets the tunes of Armando Manzanero. It contains 10 themes by Manzanero. Besides Chombo there are some outstanding musicians in this recording: Sonny Bravo (who was not using yet his stage name, so he was originally listed as Sonny Osacar) plays the piano, Bobby Rodriguez is on bass, Mike Collazo on drums, Marcelino Guerra on the congas, and Freddy Rodriguez plays the guitar. A unique recording by one of Cuba's early jazz players. "Chombo" doubled on violin, and played with all the Cuban greats of the 1950s: Peruchin, Beny More, etc. He played in the famed Panart Descargas of the 1950s, and within the same year was playing for Cal Tjader in Mas Ritmo Caliente. A collector's item.
Category: Salsa/Son => Son, Guaracha, Guajira=> Cuba
ORDER TL-14266.10 CD
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Bebo Valdes, Bebo Rides Again!
CD (Universal/Pimienta 360615),Released 1995;Re-Issued 2004;
"One of the most fresh and original Latin jazz CDs of this decade. Bebo Valdes is a prolific composer and wonderful pianist. Here he works with a range of musicians some of whom live in Cuba like Amadito Valdes and others based in New York. Great guitar work by Carlos Emilio Morales."
Category: Dance Traditions => Big Band Mambo Jazz=> Cuba
ORDER TL-14203.10 CD
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Carlos 'Patato' Valdes, Patato Y Totico
CD (Verve 86244),Released 1968;Re-Issued 2004;
"One of the great 'Rumbero' recordings of all time with Patato, the Cadiavieco brothers, and Juan 'Curva' Dreke. The bassist here is Cachao, and playing the tres is none other than Arsenio Rodriguez. I believe this is the only recording where you find Patato, Arsenio and Cachao together. A collector's item."
Category: Folkloric => Rumba And/Or Santeria/Lucumi=> Cuba
ORDER TL-11356.10 CD
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Jane Bunnett, Spirits Of Havana
CD (Universal/Pimienta 160526),Released 1992;
"One of the productions of the last few years that excels. Just before his death, Guillermo Barretto collaborated with Canadian flautist Jane Bunnett to truly capture the spirit of Havana music. The supporting cast of Merceditas Valdes, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Grupo Yoruba Andabo was nothing to sneeze at. My favorite tune is 'Yo Siempre Oddara.'"
Category: Latin Jazz => Afro-Cuban Jazz=> Cuba
ORDER TL-11941.10 CD
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Jesus "Chucho" Valdes, Lucumi: Piano Solo
CD (Universal/Pimienta 360638),Released 1988;Re-Issued 2004;
"Chucho Valdes is a superb soloist. He's got technical skill, originality and spontaneity. There are several solo CDs out. One is a clinic on Afro-Cuban music, in another he plays music by traditional Cuban composers. In yet another he plays in a jazz mood. If you prefer Afro-Cuban then this is the one to have."
Category: Latin Jazz => Afro-Cuban Jazz=> Cuba
ORDER TL-10266.10 CD
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Jesus "Chucho" Valdes, Lucumi: Piano Solo
CD (Messidor 15976),Released 1988;Re-Issued 2004;
"Chucho Valdes is a superb soloist. He's got technical skill, originality and spontaneity. There are several solo CDs out. One is a clinic on Afro-Cuban music, in another he plays music by traditional Cuban composers. In yet another he plays in a jazz mood. If you prefer Afro-Cuban then this is the one to have."
Category: Latin Jazz => Afro-Cuban Jazz=> Cuba
ORDER TL-22709.10 CD
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Los Compadres, Cantando En El Llano
CD (Tumbao 061),Re-Issued 1995;
"Lorenzo Hierrezuelo played guitar and sang second voice with Maria Teresa Vera before joining with Francisco Repilado in the late 1940s to form the Duo Los Compadres. Repilado played tres and was Segunda Voz in the Duo, hence his nickname Compay Segundo. Now in his eighties, Repilado is, next to Miguel Matamoros, the most prolific composer of the Son Oriental. His tunes have been recorded by other artists, e.g. 'Ahora Me Da Pena' by Henry Fiol, 'Baja y Tapa la Olla' by Santiago Ceron, etc. The sound of Los Compadres is reputed to have influenced guitarists in West Africa, especially in Zaire in the 1950s, who were impressed by the sound of Compay Segundo's tres. Lorenzo Hierrezuelo died a few years back. Compay Segundo, with Eliades Ochoa of the Cuarteto Patria and Ruben Gonzale, is featured in Ry Cooder's recent production of Cuban music."
Category: Salsa/Son => Son, Guaracha, Guajira=> Cuba
ORDER TL-14107.10 CD
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Miguelito Cuní Y Septeto, Sones De Ayer, Sones Bienvenido Julián Gutiérrez
CD (Rumba 55508),
"This recording is made up entirely of tunes composed by Bienvenido Julian Gutierrez. I love the trumpet of Florecita in the captivating tune 'Convergencia,' which has been often recorded by Pablo Milanés and other Nueva Trova singers in the last few years."
Category: Salsa/Son => Son, Guaracha, Guajira=> Cuba
ORDER TL-11122.10 CD
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Orlando Poleo, Cimarroneando
CD (AVR 2009),Released 1995;Re-Issued 2003;
"There is no scarcity of great flautists in Cuba. One of the outstanding young ones is Orlando 'Maraca' Valle. His sound can be heard on a variety of excellent CD's. I chose this one because its sound is new, the musicianship superb, and it contains an appealing hybrid of Afro-Cuban with Venezuelan themes. "
Category: Latin Jazz => Latin Jazz=> Venezuela
ORDER TL-15595.10 CD
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